Hearing set in rape case

A preliminary hearing has been set for a Neosho man facing charges of forcible rape and felonious restraint.

Tomico Shante Mills, 38, is accused of allegedly beating and raping a woman in the early morning hours of July 23 at his residence. He is being held in the Newton County Jail on a $15,000 bond.

Neosho officers responded to the 100 block of West Hickory Street in Neosho around 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, in reference to a domestic assault investigation. A 28-year-old female reported she was physically and sexually assaulted by Mims at his residence in the 800 block of West Patterson Street. After receiving a search warrant for Mims' address, officers reportedly found evidence of the crime, and Mims was later arrested and charged.

According to the probable cause affidavit, written by Neosho Officer Trent Gold, the victim had been in a "continuing social relationship" with Mims prior to the incident.

According to the statement, around 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 23, Mims assaulted the victim, by punching her and throwing her to the floor.

"During this incident, [the victim] required medical attention for the injuries she sustained," Gold wrote in the report.

Mims also allegedly forced the victim to engage in sexual intercourse with him, by "placing her in fear of death or serious physical injury."

He allegedly told the victim she could not leave the residence without engaging in intercourse with him.

Additionally, Mims is accused of grabbing the victim by her hair as she attempted to leave the residence and forcing her back into the bedroom, where he allegedly continued to beat her.

A former Seneca woman charged with felony stealing after allegedly taking funds from the Seneca Parent Teacher Organization will be back in court Aug. 19.

Tabitha L. Lant, 28, now of Joplin, will be back in court at 9 a.m. Aug. 19 for a bond appearance hearing. Newton County Division II Associate Circuit Court Judge Greg Stremel will preside.

Lant is accused of taking nearly $25,200 while serving as treasurer of the PTO. Seneca Police Chief James Altic wrote in the affidavit that the missing funds were discovered when Seneca PTO President Lacie Graham was contacted by Peoples Bank of Seneca, regarding insufficient funds in the organization's checking account.

According to Altic's report, the charges included purchases from Tropical Tan, Sam's Club, Kohl's and Wal-Mart.

"The Seneca Police Department acquired video from Wal-Mart where Lant was using the PTO debit card for personal use," Altic wrote. "A search warrant was served on Lant's residence for any and all PTO related documents."

Bond has been set at $5,000 cash only.

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An Oklahoma man accused in the armed robbery of a McDonald County convenience store will be back in court on Aug. 21.

Adkins faces felony charges of first-degree robbery and armed criminal action, after allegedly entering the Filling Station convenience store early Tuesday, July 2, near Southwest City, and demanding money from the clerk at gunpoint.

Charles G. Oppelt, a public defender, is representing Adkins in the case.

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A Wentworth man faces five counts of receiving stolen property.

Garret Bryce Falls, 43, faces Class C felony charges of receiving stolen property after Newton County deputies served a search warrant at a Wentworth residence Tuesday afternoon. The warrant came after a months-long investigation by deputies with the Newton and Barry counties sheriff's offices and the Missouri State Highway Patrol into stolen property reports.

Deputies originally served a warrant on Falls for failing to pay child support, and while at the home, noticed several trailers. They ran the vehicle identification numbers on the trailers and discovered they were reported stolen. The deputies then obtained a search warrant and returned to the home, seizing six flatbed trailers, a drag race car, and a boxed trailer, all reported stolen from Springfield, Mo.; as well as a backhoe, two trucks, three motorcycles, several stolen firearms — both long guns and handguns — welders and chainsaws, according to Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland.

The sheriff added marijuana and methamphetamine were discovered in the house.

The investigation is on-going.

A court date has not yet been set.

• • •A bond appearance hearing has been set for a Neosho man facing a felony sexual abuse charge.

Robert A. Herrin, 34, will be back in Newton County Division II Associate Circuit Judge Greg Stremel's courtroom at 10 a.m. Aug. 21 for the proceeding.

Herrin is accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl on May 26 at his residence. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.